MLB Player News

Covey (4-9) allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.2 innings to lose his fourth straight start in Sunday's 9-7 loss to Cleveland.

Covey failed to last five innings for the third time in his last four starts and has given up four runs or more in nine of his last 10. He pitched well when initially called up in May, but it's gone south over his last 10 starts, in which he's posted an ungodly 9.13 ERA. Now would seem to be the time to call up prospect Michael Kopech to take Covey's spot in the rotation, but manager Rick Renteria told Brian Sandalow of the Chicago Sun-Times that he's not ready to make the call just yet. "(Pitching coach) Don (Cooper) and I will sit down but right now, until further notice, he's still in the rotation. If we need to make an adjustment, we will, I'm sure," Renteria said. "But we need him to continue to gain more experience in that starter's role." As of now, Covey is scheduled to make a second start this week Saturday at home against the Royals.

Flores left Sunday's minor-league action due to an undisclosed injury.

Flores walked off the mound with the trainer in the bottom of the fourth innings, although the location and severity of the injury remain unclear. He'll be listed as day-to-day until more information is disclosed.

Junis took the no-decision Sunday, allowing just one run on three hits in six innings in the 8-2 loss to St. Louis. He struck out eight batters in the no-decision.

Junis fanned eight batters and allowed only one run for the second straight start, dropping his season ERA from 5.12 to 4.82 during that span. Unfortunately, he took a no-decision in both of those outings as well. He'll carry an unsightly 6-11 record into Friday's start against the White Sox in Chicago.

Diaz fired a scoreless 10th inning, allowing one hit and striking out two while earning his 46th save in the 4-3 win over Houston on Sunday.

Diaz has earned a save in each of the last four days and extended his league-leading save total Sunday. He dropped his ERA to 1.98 and has 100 strikeouts in just 59 innings. Diaz will likely be unavailable for at least Monday's contest against Oakland.

Kimbrel allowed allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three to pick up the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Orioles.

Kimbrel's command was off with just 14 of his 25 pitches going for strikes, but he managed to strike out the final two batters with men on base for his 35th save. It was another shaky effort in recent run of shaky outings. He hasn't had a clean outing over his last seven games, posting a 7.36 ERA with two blown saves. He's allowed six runs on eight hits, including two home runs, five walks and a hit batsman during that stretch.

Barnes will be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo before Monday's game against the Royals, John Lott of The Athletic Toronto reports.

The Blue Jays need to make room for Monday's scheduled starter Sean Reid-Foley, and it appears Barnes will be the roster casualty. The 28-year-old has struggled to a 4.60 ERA in the majors this season, so he'll look to turn things around with the Triple-A squad in Buffalo.

Brasier retired the only batter he faced in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Orioles.

Brasier, pitching for a third consecutive day, was called on to clean up a bases-loaded mess left by Tyler Thornburg in the sixth inning and struck out Trey Mancini. It's the kind of high-leverage situation that indicates manager Alex Cora's confidence in the unheralded reliever. Brasier was nowhere near the radar when the season started, but has pitched well since being called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, giving up two runs in 15.2 innings (1.15 ERA).

Johnson will start Friday against the Rays, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.

The fact that Johnson pitched in Sunday's contest out of the bullpen ended his chances to start Wednesday in Philadelphia, but manager Alex Cora will instead deploy him Friday in the series opener with Tampa Bay. Johnson gave up five earned runs in his previous start, but he won his past two decisions and holds a 3.25 ERA over the team's last 60 games.

Paredes was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Paredes will join the team to provide an extra arm while Tyler Skaggs (adductor) is on the disabled list. He likely won't pitch in many high-leverage situations while he's with the Angels given his lofty 7.71 ERA with the team, however.

Johnson is available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Orioles, but he's still a candidate to start Wednesday against the Phillies, Bill Koch of the Providence Journal reports.

Johnson's spot in the rotation appears to be safe now that Drew Pomeranz is in the bullpen, but with off days on both Monday and Thursday, the club can afford to skip his turn in the rotation and add him to the bullpen for a bit. It's still unclear if Boston intends to deploy Johnson or Nathan Eovaldi on Wednesday, though that should become clearer in the coming days, especially if Johnson has to be used out of the bullpen Sunday.